Abstract: When a metal strip continuously fed and made of stainless-steel, an aluminum alloy or a nickel alloy is bent followed by welding opposite ends of the metal strip to form a pipe and followed by grinding the pipe, the pipe is subjected to heat treatment after the pipe has been welded and before the pipe is ground. Annealing or normalizing adaptable to the type of the metal is selected as the heat treatment. As a result, work hardening can be relieved by the above processes. Moreover, generation of magnetism attributable to martensitic transformation generated in a portion, in which bending stress is concentrated, can be prevented. Thus, work hardening due to the bending operation during the process for forming the pipe can be relieved so that the following grinding operation is performed accurately. Therefore, generation of partial magnetism due to the bending operation can be prevented so that an excellent image can be formed.

Abstract: In a digital image forming apparatus, a document image is read as digital data, and an image type of bi-level image or multi-level image is discriminated from the digital data. For a bi-level image, an intensity of laser beam for exposing a photoconductor is modulated according to the image data with a duty ratio of 100%. On the other hand, for a multi-level image such as a photograph image, the intensity of laser beam is modulated with a duty ratio in the unit of two or more dots according to the image data. The duty ratio and the laser output power are changed according to a type of document image or according to sensitivity characteristic of the photoconductor.

Abstract: Toner is conserved in printer (1) under operator control by changing the final modulation for each bit in a bit map depending on whether the bit is an edge bit or an internal bit in the character being printed. Since only the final modulation is affected, processing speed and efficiency are not degraded. The operator can select various degrees of internal gray and internal white. Some levels of gray may be satisfactory for some final correspondence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an arrangement for the synchronization of the image recording of monochrome recordings and color recordings with photosensitive line sensors. A line-scanning pattern is generated by a programmable counter arrangement, wherein the timer measures the phase position of the line-scanning pattern, generated by the counter arrangement, with the aid of the computer and the programmable counter arrangement at the point in time of the impinging of a pulse of the incremental transmitter, wherein the timer compares these with a coordinated calculated or tabulated reference value, and wherein the timer employs the thus obtained phase difference in order to influence a counter, preconnected to the line counter CT2, in its count volume (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: A method for printing grayscale images that compensates for problems in the printing process. The presence of a defective element on a spatial light modulator (12) is compensated for using a background value. The background value is determined by the number of defective elements stuck in the ON position, and that value is added to all of the exposure values of the elements, creating exposure data. In one embodiment, a defect intensity value is subtracted from those pixel exposure values affected by defective elements. The exposure data is used to generate microimages on a photoreceptive drum, the data is decremented and the steps are repeated until an entire image has been produced.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having an endless transferring and conveying device for conveying a recording medium and electrostatically transferring a toner image from an image carrier to the medium, the mechanical operation of an image forming section is interrupted throughout the duration of preselected image processing executed by image processing means. As a result, the amount of toner to reach a cleaning section assigned to the endless transferring and conveying means is reduced. This frees the recording medium from contamination ascribable to defective cleaning and thereby insures attractive images.

Abstract: A method for printing grayscale images that compensates for problems in the printing process. The presence of a defective element on a spatial light modulator (12) is compensated for with use of a white balancing area. If a column of the modulator (12) has an element stuck ON, a corresponding element in the same column in the white balancing area is turned OFF while all other columns have elements that are ON. If the illumination is non-uniform, the exposure values of each element are multiplied by an efficiency factor which compensates for the non-uniformity.

Abstract: In a digital image forming apparatus, when a latent image is formed on a photoconductor, a light from a light source is emitted in a period of a duty ratio while modulated according to image data, and the latent image is developed and transferred onto a sheet of paper. The duty ratio, defined as a ratio of a light-emitting time of a light exposing the photoconductor to a period for exposing a dot, is changed in the same document according to dot information on the document such as an edge signal. In the modulation of the optical intensity, the light emission onto the photoconductor is performed with a duty ratio which may be set for each dot. Image portions formed with different duty ratios may exist at the same time in a reproduced image. For example, an edge portion in a document is reproduced at the duty ratio of 100% while a non-edge portion is reproduced at the duty ratio less than 100%.

Abstract: An image processing system for converting an input pixel into n subpixels P1, P2, . . . , Pn, said system includes a comparator for comparing density threshold values D1, D2, . . . , Dn (where D1<D2<. . . <Dn) corresponding to the subpixels P1, P2, . . . , Pn with a density of the input pixel, Din; and a density setting unit for setting subpixels P1, P2, . . . , Pk corresponding to density threshold values D1, D2, . . . , Dk of the density threshold values D1, D2, . . . , Dn (where k<n) less than the density Din to a high density, setting subpixels Pk+2, . . . , Pn to a low density, and setting subpixel Pk+1 to an intermediate density.

Abstract: In a monochrome sensor, a sensor unit is covered with a protective film, and a light-transmitting organic film is formed on this protective film. Consequently, ripples in the spectral sensitivity characteristics are reduced. Even if the positions of the peaks and valleys of these ripples vary due to variations in the thicknesses of the protective film and the organic film or due to effective variations in these film thicknesses caused by the difference in the incident angle of light, a variation in the sensitivity at a given wavelength is small. This results in a small variation in the wavelength at which the maximum value of the spectral sensitivity is obtained and a small variation in the sensitivity derived from the difference in the incident angle of light.

Abstract: A method for printing grayscale images. A sliding window memory stores an array of exposure data. The memory is initialized (80) with zero values. The memory is then addressed (82) so that the last row of the array is filled with exposure data. A microimage is then generated based on the exposure data (84). The data in the array is then decremented (86). If the page to be printed is not completed, the array's addresses are rotated (82) so that the data for the first row drops out, the data for other rows is readdressed as the next row, and new data fills the last row.

Abstract: After a plurality of parallax images either obtained from an external camera or generated by a computer are divided into a plurality of image strips, respectively, a combined image is formed from the plurality of image strips, and recorded on a photo sensing drum as a latent image. Next, the latent image is transferred or printed on backside of a lenticular sheet, made from a transparent plastic, with toner or ink, thereby forming a stereoscopic image display medium. Accordingly, a high definition stereoscopic image of good contrast can be printed out at high speed by using a printer having a simple configuration.

Abstract: A printer control unit carries out a predetermined calculation based on the amount of adhering toner detected by an AIDC sensor and the surface potential of a photoconductor detected by a V sensor to correct the light emission intensity of a light source to prepare light emission characteristic data for .gamma. correction to obtain an optimal image. A .gamma. correcting unit corrects an image signal output from an image signal processing unit using the calculated light emission characteristic data for .gamma. correction to control the light source to emit light based on the corrected data. More specifically, since the .gamma. correction data is obtained by calculation, optimal .gamma. correction can always be carried out without a memory of a large capacity.

Abstract: According to the invention, video data which are incapable of sufficiently reducing toner consumption through thinning-down control inclusive of edge detection, is divided into unit elements to increase the apparent dot matrix number of each letter or character, and the unit elements thus obtained are reconstituted through an image smoothing process or a pseudo image density increasing process for thinning-down control again. When a pixel is divided into four divisions, for instance, substantially the same effect as of thinning-down control of a letter of apparently four times the size is obtainable. Dense thinning-down control is thus obtainable.

Abstract: A digital copying apparatus having an image data memory and an automatic document feeder (ADF). The digital copying apparatus reads an image of an original document placed on a document platen and generates image data to be stored in the memory. When a copy sheet jam occurs during operation of an image forming section, it is determined whether or not the uncopied image data which have been generated but have not yet been copied are stored in the memory based on the detection of discharge of copy sheets from the apparatus. When all uncopied image data are stored in the memory, the copy operation is restarted using the image data stored in the memory. When all uncopied image data are not stored in the memory, the original document is discharged from a document transport path of the ADF to a discharge tray and the number of original documents to be returned to a feed tray is displayed on a display.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus in which two sheets of recording paper are retained on a transfer drum, reading of the image of an original by a reading optical system is started at the leading edge of a signal L-ITOPA obtained as a result of synchronizing a signal D-ITOPA, which is obtained by applying a time delay T to a signal ITOPA representing the retention position of the first sheet of recording paper, to a line synchronizing signal BD produced as a count signal by an address counter for the sub-scan direction. The image is stored in a page memory and recorded on the first sheet of recording paper. Then, at the leading edge of a signal ITOP obtained by applying the time delay T to a signal ITOPB representing the retention position of the second sheet of recording paper, read-out of the stored image from the page memory is started and the image is recorded on the second sheet of recording paper.

Abstract: Toner consumption and contamination in an image forming apparatus can be prevented with a device and method for presetting the paper size to be used in a manual paper feed mode and preventing printing in a region beyond the preset paper size. The device includes a paper width sensing unit that is adjusted by a user in accordance with the width of the paper. A control unit reads a value corresponding to the paper width and generates a control signal indicative of the width of the paper. An image forming unit enables formation of an image only within the range corresponding to the width of the paper.

Abstract: Binary data (VDO) developed to a dot pattern are sequentially stored in line memories (1-9). A processing circuit (43) is constituted by a logic calculation circuit, and determines an edge portion of an image or a halftone image on the basis of 11.times.9 pixel data in shift registers (34-43). When the edge portion of an image is determined, data of a pixel of interest is converted to data that can print a smooth edge portion. Changed data (VDOM) is converted again according to the type of toner. The converted signal is supplied to a laser driver of a printer, and a printing operation is performed by scanning a laser. A resolution setting unit (1700) receives a resolution setting command from an external apparatus (1300), and sets a designated resolution in a printer (1200) according to the resolution setting command.

Abstract: Bit data of a received video signal is partially converted into a first signal representing a data sequence corresponding to the resolution of an LED head. The first signal is transmitted to the LED head in the form of a real printing data signal that is to be printed on a basic raster line in synchronism with a line timing signal. The remaining bit data of the received video signal, which are not converted into the first signal, are converted into a second signal representing another data sequence, and then stored in a line buffer. The second signal stored in the line buffer is transmitted to the LED head in the form of a real printing data signal that is to be printed on an additional raster line in synchronism with an additional line timing signal. The LED head drive energy with which the basic raster lines are printed and another LED head drive energy with which the additional raster lines are printed are set independently of each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus arranged to synthesize a plurality of images having different numbers of steps of tone representation, and thereafter form an image at different degrees of resolution corresponding to the respective numbers of steps of tone representation. According to one representative embodiment, an image forming apparatus inputs first and second image information to be synthesized with each other, the number of tone-levels of the second image information being less than the number of such levels of the first information. An image synthesizer, which is capable of changing an image forming resolution, forms a synthesized image from the first and second image information, and a controller controls the image forming resolution of the image synthesizer such that the first image information is formed at a first resolution and the second information is formed at a second resolution higher than the first resolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving a substance dispensed by a printer engine for forming print on a media. As an example, the method stores a plurality of bits in a memory, the plurality of bits representing a cumulative pattern to be printed by reproducing the bits on the media. Each bit is either in a first memory state or a second memory state. The method further selects a subset of the plurality of bits, wherein the subset forms a first pattern and has a center bit. If each of the plurality of bits of the subset is in the first memory state, the method outputs to the printer engine a print bit corresponding to the center bit and in a print state which is opposite the memory state of the center bit. If, however, at least one of the plurality of bits of the subset is in the second memory state, the method outputs to the printer engine a print bit corresponding to the center bit and in a print state the same as the memory state of the center bit.

Abstract: A print control device for an electrophotographic printer for receiving print data from a host system, converting the print data into image data, and sequentially supplying the image data and a command signal to an engine controller for controlling an engine. The print control device includes a receiving buffer for temporarily storing the print data; a timer for measuring time; an interface process section for causing the timer to start when the print data begin to be received and causing the timer to stop when a predetermined amount of print data are stored in the receiving buffer: and a print start control section for computing a data transmission speed from the host system according to the time measured by the timer, and determining a rotating speed of a print drum according to the data transmission speed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image forming body by scanning a plurality of modulated laser beams is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a generator to generate a plurality of reference signals each with a differrent phase from other reference signals, a detector for detecting the difference of image density between two adjacent image pixels, combined modulator to generate a modulated laser beam by combining a selected laser beam, a selected reference signal and the image density. The detector classifies each pixel as one of an edge starting pixel, an edge ending pixel, and a non-edge pixel based on the value of image density difference relative to positive and negative threshold values. The selection of the laser beam and the reference signal is based on the image density difference detected by the detector and the class of the pixel.

Abstract: An image formation device includes a matrix formation circuit, a pixel identification circuit, a binarization processing circuit, a halftone processing circuit, and a synthesizing circuit. The matrix formation circuit forms a data matrix window successively shifting. The pixel identification circuit determines whether an objective pixel is a binary or a halftone by determining whether each of the pixel signals in the data matrix window is a binary or a halftone. If the objective pixel is determined to be a binary, the binarization processing circuit processes the objective pixel signal. If the objective pixel is determined to be a halftone, the halftone processing circuit processes the objective pixel signal. These objective pixel signals are synthesized to form the image signal fed into a laser printing system.

Abstract: A printing system is provided for printing an image on a substrate. The image is represented by a set of words with each word including M bits and being modulated so as to produce a single bit stream. The printing system includes a multi-phase clock generator, responsive to a clock signal with a first clock rate, for producing N phase signals and a data serializer, communicating with the multi-phase clock generator, for receiving the N phase signals and the word set. In operation, the data serializer processes each word of the word set, with the N phase signals, to produce the single bit stream, the single bit stream being outputted at a second clock rate with the second clock rate being greater than the first clock rate. The data serializer communicates with a print engine, the print engine receiving the single bit stream for imaging the image on the substrate.

Abstract: An intermediate transcription drum is supported so as to be driven in contacting relationship with a photosensitive belt. The rotating speed of the photosensitive belt driving motor is controlled by a control unit such that one rotation cycle of the intermediate transcription drum becomes a given cycle. An adjustment of the speed control data for the photosensitive belt driving motor is performed in the interval between electrostatic latent image forming. Thereby, a speed difference between the photosensitive belt and the intermediate transcription drum does not occur, and a plurality of the toner images can be transferred and accurately superposed onto the outer surface of the intermediate transcription drum.

Abstract: A scanning optical system having an image forming optical system for emitting a scanning beam modulated in accordance with image information onto a destination surface. The scanning optical system further includes a reading optical system for receiving light reflected from an object surface to obtain image information from the object surface. Both systems make use of at least one common optical component, for example, a polygonal mirror, a cylindrical mirror, a common optical path or a toric lens.

Abstract: In a digital image forming apparatus, a user can select a desired gradation curve representing the relation of the density of reproduced image to the input image signal obtained by reading a document among a plurality of gradation data stored in a memory in correspondence to image forming conditions of an electrophotographic process of forming an image. The image forming condition is determined separately. A gradation correction data is calculated from the gradation data to realize the object gradation curve. Then, an input image signal is converted to light quantity data for a beam for exposing a photoconductor by using the calculated gradation correction data to form a latent image on a photoconductor in the image forming conditions.

Abstract: An image forming system includes a generator for generating an image signal representing a predetermined test image having a plurality of tone levels, an image forming device for forming the predetermined test image on a recording medium based on the signal, a first measuring device for measuring density levels of the formed predetermined test image, corresponding to each of the plurality of tone levels of the image signal, a controller for determining characteristics of a change of density levels in the predetermined test image to a change of tone levels in the image signal based on a plurality of density levels measured by the first measuring device, and for making a conversion data table for converting tone levels of an input image signal in accordance with the characteristics, a designator for generating instructions for designation a correction of the conversion data table, a transferring device for transferring the image formed on the recording medium to a recording sheet, a second measuring device for

Abstract: This invention relates to an image forming apparatus based on the electrophotographic process, more particularly to the image forming apparatus having an exposure member inside of a photoreceptor member, which develops upon receiving light exposed with the exposure member. The image forming apparatus features to include the exposure member having a plurality of LED elements arrayed along a main scanning line of the photoreceptor member which is exposed with the LED elements in a time sharing manner by n bits unit, and the photoreceptor means having the photoconductive layer formed of amorphous silicon compounds for receiving the light. The photoreceptor member is electrified through brushing contact of the developer carried by the toner support member, and wherein the exposure portion of the exposure means is located in the developer brushing contact region.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus connected with an image forming apparatus which forms an image at different degrees of resolution inputs image data from an external source and generates a control signal to control the degree of resolution at which the image forming apparatus forms the image from the image data. The control signal is a signal to control a driving power of the image forming apparatus. The image data input by the input means is output to the image forming apparatus, along with the control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming Y, M, C, and BK color toner images, includes a controller to control an exposure device to conduct a pre-transfer image exposure on the color toner images on the photoreceptor on the basis of recording signals after the final color toner image formation of the Y, M, C, and BK color toner images before transferring the color toner images.

Abstract: A multifunction printer having scanning and printing functions includes: a first cover located at one side surface of the deice body of the printer; a second cover located in the device body, inside of the first cover; a first paper transfer path connected to an image reading unit having the scanning function, the first paper transfer path being defined between the first and second covers; a second paper transfer path connected to a printing unit, the second paper transfer path defined in the device body inside of the second cover; and diverging means for selectively diverging the paper into one of the first and second paper transfer paths. Whereby, if jamming occurs in the first paper transfer path, jamming paper can be easily removed by opening the first cover, whereas if jamming occurs in the second paper transfer path, jamming paper can be easily removed by opening the second cover after opening the first cover.

Abstract: An image forming device suitable for use in a laser beam printer includes an image forming unit for forming an image on a photoconductor, and a reproduction unit for reproducing a high density image and a halftone image on the photoconductor. A detector then detects the density of the high density image and the halftone image formed on the photoconductor. A controller controls an image forming condition of the image forming unit based on a detection result by the detector.

Abstract: A copying machine for forming an image by scanning a laser beam which is emitted from an optical system on a photosensitive member. Photosensors are provided at optically equivalent positions to a beginning portion and an end portion of a scanning line on a photosensitive member. A scanning time of a laser beam in the main scanning direction is measured by these photosensors. The measured time and a standard time for a copy magnification set by an operator are compared, and a correction value is calculated, and at the same time, magnification in the main scanning direction is corrected using the correcting value. Also, focusing (adjusting of the beam diameter) is carried out using the photosensors. Each of the photosensors contains a photoelectric transfer element, and a beam which comes through a slit is incident to the element. Each photosensor is provided with two slits. One is perpendicular to the main scanning direction, and the other is inclined to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: When a predetermined pattern (e.g. a pattern indicating the serial number of a copying machine) is added on an image formed on a recording paper, the image formation apparatus suppresses the appearance of fog by the addition of a predetermined pattern in the vicinity of the image. More particularly, a control circuit, which inputs and processes an image signal, estimates the leading and ending edge positions of the recording paper with respect to the transferring direction. The edge which is perpendicular to the transferring direction of the recording paper is determined based on a signal obtained from an ITOP generation circuit and a BD detector. Accordingly, an effective area for image formation on the recording paper is obtained and a modulation amount for adding the predetermined pattern is controlled in accordance with the position on the recording paper at which the predetermined pattern is added.

Abstract: A printer makes a decision as to whether data has been received from a host computer and whether the received data is either a control code or print data. When data is not received from the host computer or the received data is a control code, which is related to a print non-executing process, a CPU gives an instruction to a power source, when such a state continues for a predetermined time interval, to thereby bring a fixing device to a power-saved state wherein the power supplied to the fixing device is controlled. When the received data is print data for a print executing process, the CPU instructs the power source to supply the power to the fixing device so that the fixing device is reset to a fixing-operation enable state. Thus, the supply of the power to the fixing device is switched according to the kind of data inputted from the host computer so as to reduce the total power consumed during operation.

Abstract: An image processing system has at least one rotatable drum which has an optical memory on its outer surface constituting an active write/read memory of a raster image processor for a digital image written thereon. The optical memory modulates light illuminating the optical memory from a light source for imaging the image from the optical surface onto a photographic material.

Abstract: A laser beam printer includes a movable mirror which is rotated by a scan mirror motor. Laser light is alternately deflected toward an information reading station and an information writing station by applying the laser light to the movable mirror from a semiconductor laser. The laser light is switched between writing-use light and reading-use light at the time the movable mirror is rotated through a predetermined angle. In the laser beam printer having the semiconductor laser which is used for both writing and reading information, information is written and read out during one rotation of the movable mirror. It is therefore possible to perform a reading operation and a writing operation simultaneously by simply switching the laser light at the predetermined time depending on the rotation angle of the movable mirror.

Abstract: A recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus comprises a first control unit to perform a control regarding the generation of dot data, a second control unit for controlling the recording operation, a fan to reduce a temperature in the apparatus, a heat fixing device having a heater, and detectors such as thermistors for detecting temperatures at a plurality of positions near the fixing device. Each of the first and second control units generates a first control signal to control the rotation of the fan on the basis of detection outputs from the thermistors. The heat fixing device has a cylindrical endless film made by polyimide or the like whose inner surface is come into contact with the heater and a pressure roller which is come into contact with the outside of the endless film. A recording paper is sandwiched between the film and the pressure roller and passes therebetween.

Abstract: An electrophotographic printer which can print an enlarged image which maintains the concentration of an original image and is superior in maintenance of a line width or a periodical pattern is disclosed. A controller successively outputs each two adjacent horizontal lines of an original image scanned vertically individually as picture element signals. An image enlargement circuit produces an insertion picture element signal indicating an average of the two picture element signals from the controller and outputs an enlargement picture element signal obtained by inserting the insertion picture element signal between the two picture element signals. An engine prints the original image but in an enlarged scale in accordance with the enlargement picture element signal received from the image enlargement circuit.

Abstract: A delivery member has a substrate and, provided thereon, an eletro-deposition coating film containing an organic powder. By this configuration, a delivery member having a homogeneous coating is formed. Stress is therefore uniformly distributed and the coating is resistant to wear. The delivery member can be made in a variety of different forms and can be used in many different types of apparatus.

Abstract: In an electrographic color printing process in which a series of edge-enhanced color separation images are sequentially transferred, in registration, from a recording element to a receiver sheet, the level of edge enhancement applied to each color separation image is gradually reduced so that the fast transferred image receives the greatest amount of edge enhancement, and the last-transferred image receives the least. The effect of this reduction in edge enhancement from image-to-image is a reduction in the graininess of the composite color print.

Abstract: A device (40) for patterning an imaging member (46) is provided. The device (40) comprises a light source (42) which emits light rays (44). Light rays (44) pass through a collimator (45) to collimate the light rays (48). The light then strikes a spatial light modulator (50) which is controlled by a computer (52) to reflect the light (54). The light passes through an imaging member (56) to demagnify the pattern for striking imaging member (46). Imaging member (46) is thus patterned by changing modulator (50) by computer (52).

Abstract: An image processing system includes a color reversing capability, and code data is received from a host computer via a reception buffer and analyzed. It the data includes a color reversing instruction, a logical operation is performed between bit patterns developed in bit-map RAM areas corresponding to yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan (C) inks or toners, and a bit pattern developed in a bit-map area corresponding to a black (K) ink or toner. The K bit pattern is cleared, and the bit patterns of the Y, M and C bit map areas that have been subjected to the logical operation are reversed, resulting in an attractive color reversal.

Abstract: An image combining device scans an image on a large document and prints it. The device includes a memory for storing image signals. In accordance with a first aspect of the device, a scanner scans areas of the document which are individually smaller than the area of the entire document, but combines the areas so as provide an eye-readable representation of the image which was on the large document. This is achieved quickly and efficiently by adjusting a magnification ratio applied to scanned image data, so as to allow the data to fit within the memory. In accordance with another aspect of the device, the combination of the images and the printing of the output are achieved by compressing image data using a binarization processor.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for adjusting image density includes an input device for inputting a plurality of image type information and a discriminating device for discriminating the image type information in accordance with a signal other than a signal to be recorded. An image forming circuit, such as a printer, forms an image on the basis of image type information. A density adjusting circuit adjusts the image forming density of the image forming circuit in accordance with the input image type information. The discriminating device inputs a signal indicative of whether the input image type information indicates a text image or a graphics image, or whether it denotes Japanese or a European language (e.g., English). The discriminating device also inputs a signal indicative of the kind of font included in the input image type information or a signal indicative of a resolution for an output image to be formed by the printer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can adjust a density comprises: a first input device to input image information; a second input device to input the kind of image information; an image forming circuit such as a printer form an image on the basis of image information which can vary an image forming density; and a density adjusting circuit to adjust the image forming density of the image forming circuit in accordance with the kind of input image information. The second input device inputs a signal indicative of whether the input image information indicates a text image or a graphics image or whether it denotes Japanese or European/English language. The second input device inputs a signal indicative of the kind of font included in the input image information or a signal indicative of a resolution of an output image which is formed by the printer.

Abstract: An electrophotographic digital copier for sequentially writing bicolor image data signals onto a photoconductive element and producing a bicolor hard copy by a single image transfer. The copier has a black developing device and a red developing device for developing respectively a latent image electrostatically formed by a black image data signal on a photoconductive element and a latent image electrostatically formed by a red image data signal. A signal detecting device determines whether or not the red image data is present. A control device starts the drive of the red developing device when the signal detecting device detects the red image data signal and ends the drive on upon the elapse of a predetermined period of time after the signal detecting device determines, during the driving of the red developing device that the red image data signal is absent.

Abstract: A toner for developing electrostatic images has a binder resin having as a constituent an acid component with an acid value of from 0.5 mg.KOH/g to 100 mg.KOH/g, a colorant, and at least one of compounds represented by Formulas (I), (II) and (III).